"Nosferatu. Vampire! First I will save your soul, then I will destroy you."

What's most impressive about this "little" film in the Romero canon is the attention and care that the director gives to the blue collar milieu of the film. Braddock, PA, the main location of the film, is the most vital member of the cast, next to John Amplas' Martin. More than the horror aspects of this film, I am struck by the sensitivity with which Romero depicts the mundane, unrewarding lives of the working class supporting players, particularly the lonely wife who Martin briefly finds solace with. Romero's "living dead" films get most of the ink and I love a couple of them dearly, but Martin is probably his most mature and affecting film.

Braddock is the subject of several documentaries by frequent Romero collaborator and native son Tony Buba.

Pictured on the back: John Amplas, as Martin, gives one of the best lead performances in any Romero movie and Lincoln Maazel, father of noted conductor Lorin, is pitch perfect as Tata Cuda in his one and only film appearance.